Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III is eyeing the ratification of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in the morning of July 23, hours before President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his State of the Nation Address (Sona).
Pimentel said the bicameral conference committee would meet during Congress’ break to reconcile both chambers’ versions of the proposed BBL.
Pimentel is a member of the Senate panel at the bicameral conference committee.
In time for Sona
He said the plan, on the part of the Senate, was to ratify the reconciled version of the proposed BBL in the morning of July 23, or in time for the President to sign it before his Sona.
“I don’t know what the plan of the House of Representatives is. But this is unusual, this is not usually done. But since this is an important measure, we will do so if the bill is reconciled by July 23,” Pimentel said in an interview on dzBB.
The President is expected to sign the proposed BBL in time for his third Sona. —Julie M. Aurelio